2008 NBA Finals

2008 NBA Finals
source
Year	2008
Team1	Boston Celtics
Team2	Los Angeles Lakers
Team1 coach	Doc Rivers
Team2 coach	Phil Jackson
Team1 owner	Wyc Grousbeck
Team2 owner	Jerry Buss
Team1 vp	Danny Ainge
Team2 gm	Mitch Kupchak
Mvp	Paul Pierce
Hofers	Celtics: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol
Network	ABC
Announcers	Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy

2008 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2007–08 season and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Boston Celtics, who posted the league's best regular-season record, defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games to capture their 17th championship in franchise history. The series was a revival of the league's most storied rivalry and marked the Celtics' first title since 1986.

Background

The Boston Celtics underwent a dramatic transformation in the offseason, with President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge orchestrating trades for perennial All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join longtime Celtic Paul Pierce. Coached by Doc Rivers, this new "Big Three" led the team to a league-best 66–16 record. Their path to the finals included hard-fought series victories over the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers led by LeBron James, and the defending champion Detroit Pistons. The Los Angeles Lakers, coached by Phil Jackson, had retooled mid-season by acquiring Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies, forming a potent partnership with Kobe Bryant. The Lakers, who finished first in the Western Conference, advanced by defeating the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, and the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals.

Series summary

The series opened at TD Garden in Boston, where the Celtics' defense set the tone in a Game 1 victory. Paul Pierce, after a dramatic knee injury and return, scored 15 points in the third quarter to secure the win. The Celtics took a 2–0 series lead after a comeback in Game 2, highlighted by Leon Powe's 21-point performance. In Los Angeles, the Lakers avoided a sweep by winning Game 3 behind Kobe Bryant's 36 points and a strong effort from Sasha Vujačić. The Celtics responded decisively in Game 4, staging the largest comeback in finals history by overcoming a 24-point deficit to take a commanding 3–1 series lead, with key plays from Eddie House and James Posey. After the Lakers extended the series with a Game 5 win at Staples Center, the Celtics closed it out in Game 6 back in Boston with a dominant 131–92 victory, fueled by their stifling defense and balanced scoring.

Aftermath

Paul Pierce was named the Finals Most Valuable Player for his all-around performance. The championship validated the Celtics' blockbuster trades and the leadership of Doc Rivers and the "Big Three," ending the longest title drought in franchise history. For the Lakers, the loss fueled Kobe Bryant's determination, leading to consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010, where they would again face the Celtics. The series intensified the historic Celtics–Lakers rivalry, with several participants like Rajon Rondo, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom becoming central figures in subsequent postseason battles. The Celtics' victory was celebrated with a parade in Boston and was seen as a triumph of defensive teamwork and veteran star power.

Television and ratings

The series was broadcast in the United States on ABC, with the broadcast team of Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, and Jeff Van Gundy. Game 6 delivered strong ratings, averaging a 10.7 national rating and drawing an average of 16.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched NBA game since 1998. The overall series average was a 9.3 rating, a significant increase over the previous year's finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers, largely attributed to the drawing power of the historic Celtics–Lakers rivalry and star players like Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett. The broadcasts were produced by ESPN and included extensive coverage on sister networks like ESPN.

Rosters

Boston Celtics

* Coached by Doc Rivers; General Manager Danny Ainge. * Starters: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins. * Key reserves: James Posey, Eddie House, Leon Powe, Sam Cassell, Tony Allen, Glen Davis. * Ownership group led by Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca.

Los Angeles Lakers

* Coached by Phil Jackson; General Manager Mitch Kupchak. * Starters: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Vladimir Radmanović, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol. * Key reserves: Sasha Vujačić, Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Ronny Turiaf, Trevor Ariza. * Owned by Jerry Buss with executive Jeanie Buss.

Category:2008 in basketball Category:NBA Finals Category:Boston Celtics Category:Los Angeles Lakers